MHS takes part in Iowa Youth Straw Poll

     Last week, a total of 16,629 students from more than 140 schools across the state voted in Secretary of State Paul Pate's Iowa Youth Straw Poll. Students in every K-12 school were invited to vote for their preferred candidates in Iowa's U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and gubernatorial races. The purpose of the poll is to serve as a fun, hands-on, learning activity to engage young people in civics.

   The final results show Republican Kim Reynolds winning the Youth Straw Poll race for governor, with 60 percent of the vote. Democrat Deidre DeJear had 31 percent, and Libertarian Rick Stewart picked up 9 percent.

   Republican Chuck Grassley came out on top in the U.S. Senate race, 61 percent vs. 39 percent over Democrat Michael Franken.

   Iowa's four U.S. House races were polled as well. In the First Congressional District, Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks defeated Christina Bohannon, 58 percent vs. 42 percent. Republican Ashley Hinson won 66 percent vs. 34 percent over Liz Mathis in the Second District.

   Democrat Cindy Axne defeated Republican Zach Nunn in Iowa's Third District, 56 percent vs. 44 percent. Republican Randy Feenstra picked up 63 percent of the vote in the Fourth District, with Democrat Ryan Melton at 23 percent and Liberty Party Caucus candidate Bryan Jack Holder at 14 percent.

   Monticello High School also took part on the Youth Straw Poll last week. The results were:

Governor

   • Kim Reynolds/Adam Gregg, 79.1 percent (151 votes)

   • Deidre DeJear/Eric Van Lancker, 9.9 percent (19 votes)

   • Rick Stewart/Marco Battaglia, 11 percent (21 votes)

U.S. Senate

   • Chuck Grassley, 80.1 percent (153 votes)

   • Michael Franken, 19.9 percent (38 votes)

U.S. Representative, District 1

   • Mariannette Miller-Meeks, 73.8 percent (141 votes)

   • Christina Bohannon, 26.2 percent (50 votes)

   Traditionally, the Iowa Youth Straw Poll has served as a good indicator of how the actual elections will shape up.

   "I want to thank all of the teachers, principals, and staff who helped make the Youth Straw Poll possible, but most importantly, thank you to the students who made their voices heard," said Secretary Pate. "This was hopefully a valuable, hands-on learning experience for them, and I hope all of them will continue to be a voter throughout their lives."